February 2026: a celestial spectacle awaits – planets, moons, and eclipses!

A month of intense space activity

February 2026 promises to be an extraordinary month for skywatchers. Beyond the usual lunar phases, we're looking at a potential annular solar eclipse, a near-planetary parade, and several captivating conjunctions. This coincides with exciting missions like Artemis II and Crew-12 (featuring French astronaut Sophie Adenot), providing even more reasons to gaze upwards. It’s a month where the cosmos feels particularly engaged, a dynamic interplay of natural events and human exploration.

Lunar highlights to note

The Moon serves as a reliable and beautiful guide throughout February. Mark these dates in your calendar for optimal viewing: February 1st – Full Moon, offering a bright start to the month. February 9th – Last Quarter Moon, presenting a clear half-disk. February 17th – New Moon, a perfect opportunity for deep-sky observation without lunar interference. February 24th – First Quarter Moon, reappearing in the evening sky. These phases offer unique opportunities for observation.

Planets visible to the naked eye

Several planets will be readily visible without any specialized equipment. They'll appear as bright points of light, easily spotted after sunset or throughout the night. Jupiter shines brightly and remains observable for much of the night – the easiest target. Saturn rises early, best viewed in the first part of the evening near the western horizon. Venus is exceptionally luminous in the evening, low on the horizon and hard to miss on a clear night. Mercury also appears in the evening, but lower and later than Venus, requiring a clear western horizon.

Remarkable events of the month

Here are some key dates to prioritize for memorable astronomical experiences. Keep an eye on the weather forecast! February 2-3 – The Moon passes near Regulus in the constellation Leo. February 7 – The Moon grazes Spica, a bright star in Virgo. February 17 – Annular Solar Eclipse – unfortunately, not visible from mainland France. If you're traveling to view it, always use certified solar filters. Never look directly at the Sun without proper protection.

A trio and a conjunction

The celestial dance continues! February 18 – A striking alignment: Venus, the Moon, and Mercury gather near the western horizon after sunset. It's a delicate but rewarding observation. February 19 – A conjunction between Saturn and Mercury. February 27 – The Moon passes near Jupiter, offering a chance to spot Jupiter’s four Galilean moons with binoculars. February 28 – A planetary parade, with several planets appearing aligned across the sky. Please note that visibility will depend on your horizon.

Practical observing tips

Enjoying the celestial show is easier than you might think. Choose a dark location, away from streetlights if possible. Check the weather and the western horizon for low-lying planets. For planetary observation, 8x40 binoculars are an excellent starting point. A small telescope will reveal even more details. You can even use a smartphone to capture quick photos through your binoculars. For the eclipse, eye safety is paramount – use certified ISO glasses or a solar filter adapted for your telescope. Never use regular sunglasses.

Final thoughts and simple pleasures

Record these dates in your calendar and consider sharing the experience with friends and family. A comfortable chair, a warm drink, and extra layers of clothing will enhance your viewing pleasure. February 2026's sky promises accessible and, at times, intense encounters with the cosmos. And most importantly: be prepared to be surprised. Sometimes, a fleeting alignment is all it takes to transform an ordinary evening into a luminous memory.